San Diego Masters in Teaching Art Education

Considering a Masters in Teaching Art? For many, art provides a way to connect with the world and those around them. A Masters in Teaching Art might benefit individuals pursuing creative fields requiring guidance and training.

Masters in Teaching Art Programs

Artistic media has continually evolved, and the rise of technology and the digital age has, in many ways, altered the way that modern creative types can approach visual arts. Art educators are responsible for preparing the new generation of visual artists to fit into the changing artistic world.

Masters in Teaching Art Degree Program Curriculum

Many master’s degree programs in art education place a focus on more contemporary forms and styles of art, whether that be represented through more modern mediums or simply an emphasis on current top artistic trends. Additionally, students can expect a higher concentration on the social and political context that informs various works of art, as well as highlighting the interplay between art and the world in which it's situated.

The growing development and popularity of consumer technology may play heavily into the development of art education in the coming years. Computer software and even hardware may impact ways even conventional mediums such as drawing and painting are approached, as well as introduce new artistic explorations to the discussion, like best ways of approaching 3-D modeling.

Art education is a subset of the faculty of education. As such, prospective students should expect the prerequisites to be similar to those of standard master's programs in teaching. Applicants are encouraged to contact the educational institution they're interested in applying to determine any specific prerequisite requirements.

Potential Careers for Art Educators

Since art education is so closely tied in with other education-related graduate degrees, it's not uncommon for graduates to pursue careers in a school environment, whether at the K-12 or postsecondary level. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that high school teachers earned a 2012 median annual salary of $55,050, with an expected 6 percent increase in jobs through 20221. At the college and university level, the 2012 median annual salary was $68,970, with an expected 19 percent growth rate for jobs by 20222.

Art education graduates may also choose to pursue careers that are not directly education-related. For example, graduates may choose to pursue a career as a museum curator. This profession claimed a BLS-reported 2012 median annual salary of $44,410, with an estimated 11 percent job growth through 20223.

In the private sector, art education graduates may choose to work for companies as an art director. The BLS reported a 2012 median annual salary for this profession of $80,880, with an estimated 3 percent growth in jobs by 20224.

Is Earning a Master’s Degree in Art Education Right for You?

Art continues to be relevant in our world. Rather than disappearing or shrinking, the practical applications of art today have merely shifted in focus. This shift may open up careers for those interested in art education along a variety of possible career axes, whether students' career aspirations lie in the public or private sectors.